The New Zealand one hundred-dollar note was issued on May 3, 1999. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand issued the note because it will last four times longer than its counterpart, the paper banknote. The Bank also said the notes are non-porous meaning they don't absorb liquids and are therefore much cleaner. The notes have much better features than the paper notes which also deters counterfeiters.[1]

The polymer note has a watermark of Elizabeth II on the right side. There are two transparent windows with images of a fern, on the left and on the right. When held up to the light the window will show a "100" in its center, and images of ferns printed on each side will line up perfectly. When the note is put under ultraviolet light a yellow patch should appear with the number "100" through the use of fluorescent dyes.[4]